Athens to Host 21st European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry in February 2027

The United States and Europe take turns hosting the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry. For several decades, the United States has hosted the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry on even years, whereas Europe has hosted the conference on odd years.

Because 2026 is an even year, the United States hosted the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry in Tucson, Arizona earlier this year. Next year though, the conference goes back to Europe, and it is set to be one of the most highly anticipated conferences on plasma-based techniques next year.

Where will the European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry take place in 2027?

The 21st European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry (EWCPS) is set to take place in Athens, Greece, from February 7 to 12, 2027, drawing analytical chemists, spectroscopists, and instrumentation specialists from academia and industry to the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre (MAICC).^1,2 The meeting is being organized by Spiros A. Pergantis, Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Crete, who chairs the conference, alongside Vice-Chair Demetrios Anglos, Professor of Physical Chemistry at the same institution.¹

What is the EWCPS and why should spectroscopists attend?

First held in 1985, the EWCPS is one of the longest-running conference series dedicated to plasma-based analytical techniques. Organizers describe it as a forum where established researchers and early-career scientists meet to discuss developments across a broad range of methods, including inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), glow discharge mass spectrometry (GD-MS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), direct current plasma atomic emission spectrometry (DCP-AES), microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MIP-AES), laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), and laser ablation molecular isotopic spectrometry (LAMIS).^1,2

This conference, which is set over a period of five full days, will include plenary, keynote, and heritage lectures, along with special sessions, poster presentations, and technical short courses.¹ This format is intended to foster the exchange of the field's most recent results and to sustain collaborations that extend beyond the conference itself.¹ For instrument manufacturers, laboratory suppliers, and researchers tracking the direction of plasma spectrochemistry, the event functions as a benchmark of where the field's technical priorities stand heading into 2027.

What are some important details about the conference venue?

The 2027 EWCPS will be held at the MAICC, which is located on Vasilissis Sofias Avenue near Syntagma Square. It sits roughly two minutes' walk from the "Megaro Mousikis" metro station, is served by multiple bus lines, and is within walking distance of hotels, museums, and restaurants in central Athens.³ The venue is reachable from Athens International Airport via the X95 bus line or Metro Line 3, a roughly 35-minute trip, and from the city's main railway station in approximately 30 min.³

Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world, and it is used to hosting conferences and special events. Apart from the EWCPS, Athens has hosted major events such as the 2004 Olympic Games.² The city has also invested in infrastructure, including the international airport, metro system, and Attiki Odos highway, that organizers cite as easing access for international attendees.² Local university laboratories and research centers are also highlighted as part of the broader research ecosystem into which the conference will be embedded.

What information should potential conference attendees and exhibitors know?

For prospective attendees and exhibitors, all information related to registration, abstract submission, and sponsorship information are being made available through the conference's official channels ahead of the February dates. Scientific and program committees have been established to oversee the technical content, and organizers have flagged sustainability and corporate social responsibility activities as part of the event's broader agenda, though details on those initiatives have not yet been fully published.¹

Further programmatic details, including confirmed plenary speakers and session topics, are expected to be released as the event gets closer.

References

1. European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, Welcome. EWCPS, 2026. https://ewcps2027.gr/welcome/# (accessed July 20, 2026).
2. European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, The City. EWCPS, 2026. https://ewcps2027.gr/the-city/ (accessed July 20, 2026).
3. European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, The Venue. EWCPS, 2026. https://ewcps2027.gr/the-venue/ (accessed July 20, 2026).